Health Beauty & Fitness

You wait ages for a new beauty launch, then stacks of them come along at once. To help you sort the hot buys from the bye-byes, we thought we'd try five of the most exciting summer products and let you know how we got on.

1 Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Beach 29.50 *** (www.bobbibrown.co.uk)

"This compact is elegant, though its size is not particularly handbag-friendly. There's a nice big mirror, but no brush for application. The powder itself gives an amazing shimmer but is definitely more suited to already-sunkissed skin. The graduating bricks of colour let you build up the shade as your tan develops – bring on the sun."

PAM MOFFAT

2 Philosophy Field of Flowers Perfumed Body Spritz 18 **** (www.philosophy.com)

"One tiny spray of this product and you're slap-bang in the middle of a summer flower meadow. It is a pretty full-on olfactory experience, but really blooming marvellous if florals are your bag."

CAT THOMSON

3 L'Occitane Verbena Moisturising Body Gel 14 **** (www.loccitane.com)

"L'Occitane has added this new product to its popular Verbena fragranced range and it is out just in time for summer. When it's far too hot for a rich body moisturiser, you can switch to this light and refreshing gel. I loved the fresh scent which lingered on the skin throughout the day. It is also very soothing after too much sun – and makes a pleasant change from the aloe vera."

ALISON GRAY

4 Clinique All About Eyes Serum 20 *** (www.clinique.co.uk)

"Billed as a de-puffing eye mask, this product comes in a trendy roller-ball dispenser. As promised in the fine print, it is cooling, but it failed to live up to the claim that it would massage away my under-eye bags."

LEE RANDALL

5 St Tropez Instant Shimmer Stick 15 *** (www.st-tropez.com)

"This solid body cream melts on contact with the skin and although it appears to be rather a scary Cuprinol hue, it is actually quite subtle when applied to the skin. The overall effect is less of a shimmer and more of a glossy sheen. Very moisturising but unfortunately the texture is so greasy that after lying on the beach this tester ended up looking a bit like a sugared doughnut."

MERCY BREHENY

Fab facts for a beautiful life

FITNESS

Stretch out to learn

If you've ever fancied trying Pilates, chi gung, yoga, Gyrotonics or t'ai chi, but want to talk things through with an instructor beforehand, then get along to this swish studio. They're having an open day today, from 1pm-5pm, so you can get a look at their state-of-the-art studio, watch some demonstrations, eat sushi and drink a little fizz. There will be no pressure to sign up, but you'll leave with a better idea of what kind of class might suit you.

The Movement Studio, 10 Claremont Terrace, Glasgow (0141-586 7199, www.themovementstudio.co.uk)

BEAUTY

Nail your colours

Those with darker skin (or, at least, the beginnings of a tan), will suit the varnishes in Nails Inc's new Kings of Neon set. It features six super-bright colours, which range from a brave custard yellow to fuchsia and turquoise, all in mini sizes. The funky-looking set also features a handy little bottle of this brand's conditioning Caviar Top Coat and Soho Base Coat. Also, while stocks last, if you spend 35 or more on Nails Inc products, you'll get a free pair of Fabris Lane sunglasses worth 45.

Nails Inc Kings of Neon collection, 22 (www.nailsinc.com)

HEALTH

Bean scene

Does your usual sugary snack need a health upgrade? Then try Pod Bites. These dry-roasted edamame beans (young soy beans) are available in dark chocolate or yoghurt shells. According to the makers, the inclusion of 25g of soy protein per day, as part of a low-fat diet, can help reduce cholesterol. Of course, they'd probably be even better for you without that candy coating, but these goodies are still a good substitute for cola cubes.

Pod Bites, 2.95, Harvey Nichols (0131-524 8388, www.podbites.co.uk)

• This article was first published in The Scotsman, Saturday June 5, 2010